Haven’t we seen press releases like this before? What I want to see is product on the shelves. If it isn’t there, I will buy a different product.
Press Releases are great, but product on the shelf that I might buy is reality.
Interesting timing.
No deal until Jakob was in control.
Wonder what that’s all about?
And, there is still that stuff coming down the pike…as someone said, wait and see.
I wonder if the pit-bull got muzzled?
For all we know…the real buyer may have been Marklin/Kingsbridge…
Warren, Interesting thought !!! We’ll know soon enough I suppose.
I guess adults were in control to get the agreement done. As for what the US gets depends on what was manufactured in Germany and not shipped before Marklin purchased the company, how much has been made since they purchased it and what has been shipped since the purchase. In my opinion there will still be limited stock of product until Marklin can ramp up production in whichever location they pick. When the US gets product again depends on when it gets shipped from Europe or China.
LAO
Warren may have hit the button. Premise: LGB of America is actually now owned by Marklin.
Therefore:
1 - Marklin is now using LGB of America to be the distributor of LGB.
2 - Second premise: G-45 may be dissolved once all the paperwork has been complete.
3 - Third premise: Marklin got the whole package – which if it didn’t what did they really buy? LGB of America claimed THEY owned the copyright and said it in their ads. If accurate, they could simply tell Marklin to shove it and under no condition could Marklin market products under the LGB name in the U.S.-- if so, there would be a nice $ to pay.
Of course, the above is conjecture. However, what makes sense leaving LGB of America with the claim they are the ones who own the copyright and exclusive use of the LGB brand even though Marklin purchased LGB of Germany? That conclusion does not make much sense. My take: marklin owns the whole package, and I suspect that is precisely what Marklin got when they made their original purchase.
Someone out there knows.
Selah,
Wendell
Now see if I understand all this -
a) ownership title of LGBoA is ‘transferred’ to G45, under Tony Castellano and David Buffington
b) David Buffington sells his part ownership to lawyer Jakob during the ill-fated buyout.
c) Marklin purchases the rights to manufacture and distribute LGB products
d) ownership of G45 is 'transferred (here we go with that word again - does it really mean given as in a gift?) to LGBoA. How does a company owned by someone get to own the company that actually owns it??? This word ‘transfer’ is a really, really sneeky little word.
e) now with G45 ‘owned’ by LGBoA, Marklin accepts LGBoA as its distribution/servicing ‘partner’ in North America.
f) it seems that Jakob could not source the extra money to buyout Lehmann and yet now money is flowing freely with the Buffington share deal buyout. Remember that the Buffington share deal buyout occurred around the time of the Marklin ‘victory’ in late July
If one thinks that all the intrigue is now past, then think again. Is this really a ‘loss’ for Marklin or a ‘victory’ for LGBoA. What are the fine detail points on the distribution contract? Exactly what are LGBoA responsibilities in this matter and how much was ‘transferred’ to shake hands on the deal. Who actually now owns LGBoA, is it only Castellano and Jakob or is Marklin now a silent partner or maybe some other German citizens?
Remember that in a suprise deal, LGBoA ownership title was ‘transferred’ to G45, mid-2006. Now mid-2007, ownership title to G45 is ‘transferred’ to LGBoA. The apprentice is now the master craftsman and the craftsman now the apprentice. This word ‘transfer’ really is a very important word in the whole scenario to date. Ownership title changes and yet no mention to date of any details of renumeration in kind for assuming ownership of a valuable asset. Maybe, like the Richters back in 2006, seeing LOGBoA as a potential source of economic loss, ownership of G45 is transferred to LGBoA as a ‘face saving’ measure. ‘Ownership’ of LGBoA is really the ‘jewel in the crown’. Now if only one could determine who actually ‘owns’ LGBoA.
I’m sorry making announcements doesn’t mean much, products on the shelves does. I thought there was a press release like this before and there is less on the shelves now than there was then. I like the 1600 turnouts and would like to see them on the shelves again. They wait too long and I’ll buy something else.
Larry Otis said:
I guess adults were in control to get the agreement done. As for what the US gets depends on what was manufactured in Germany and not shipped before Marklin purchased the company, how much has been made since they purchased it and what has been shipped since the purchase. In my opinion there will still be limited stock of product until Marklin can ramp up production in whichever location they pick. When the US gets product again depends on when it gets shipped from Europe or China.LAO
Larry
A list of what will be available and when has been posted on this site … while others were worrying if and when a deal would/could/should be reached. I doubt that Märklin will be producing Amtrak cars in quantities for the German market! Yes, they are included on that list.
Tim,
You’ve been around the block more than once! You know how this works and you know how to spell “interim measure”. 
I’ve followed the development of this routine a few times, thus “the stew is still simmering”.
HJ,
There is a market for the Amfleets in Europe though maybe not a lot. I had one specialy painted for ConnDOT and a LGB fan from Europe who was at the ECLSTS was offering all sorts of money for it. As for the stew still simmering in the pot I would agree with you on that.
LAO
Wendell,
Here is my take on this…
Richter’s see the “hand writing on the wall  Sell LGB of America to G45 to raise money… LGB trade mark goes with sale for North America… Not enough money so sells lot of product to G45… Still not enough money… Loose company to creditors… This be the banks… Trustee sells company to Marklin… No comment… Marklin wants all old legacy employees to go… Dave B. sells his shares of G45 to Jakob, a German lawyer… G45 now owned by Castellano & Jakob… German lawyer can put teeth in the deal… Marklin says OK, you can be the distributor… LGB of America still owned by G45…
Tilm-
Sharp analysis on your part.
I continue to enjoy the thinking.
I will join in the speculation, per my post above, LGB of Germany owns the whole package.
Damage control says “say nothing” and let the speculation hold until the book comes out.
My guess remains: Marklin owns all and is keeping the energy out of the picture by not saying.
Hmmmm. Someone still knows.
Wendell
Bob,
That is variation #1 on a theme!
Instruments being tuned, let’s get out the violins. :lol: :lol:
PS Wendell’s is variation #2. Anyone recall what the customary number is on those variations in the musical field? Have we got enough chairs?
@ Wendell: I’m still thinking, answer coming up.
Jack Barton said:
Victor, just sip the Kool-aid don't gulp!If you will take breath and re-read my post you will see it is speculation also. MAY, MAY,?!
So you are saying the First Amendment is just for “The Gang”? (quoting HJ) I thought it applied to everyone.
Look, I am not an “official” in any way or form for LGBoA, I’m just a customer.
I’m just thrilled that all the negative speculation was wrong! This time.
Jack
Soooooooo “Who looks Stew-pid now?” It’s always very tricky to have a grabby title, damn thing may come back to nip your butt. Eh, Jack!?!
I know it isn’t “Next week!” yet, there is more to come! And we just wait 'til it trickles in. Like we did before. No hurry, no sweat! Funny though, what a flurry of activity there was regarding all the good news about PIKO and all the flak about Märklin, what a harbinger of what was in the pipe, eh! Funny, funny, funny! :lol: :lol:
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:Nailed that one!
In a reply to WH "There is also the German custom of keeping things such as distribution, service and marketing in house, more so when one already has a network that does that for one's other lines."
Right again Jack, all one needs do is look at the date of that post.
August 25, 2007 11:45:40 MST Eons before Märklin made an announcement regarding their rearranged distributorship.
I thought that was the point of prognostication!
I had actual information at that time that indicated the likely outcome, but would have been shouted down. Why else would I save the post?
‘OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooh, Constant change is here to stay, doodah, doodah…’
tac
Jack Barton said:
I thought that was the point of prognostication!I had actual information at that time that indicated the likely outcome, but would have been shouted down. Why else would I save the post?
So did I, so did I, but since none of it was in the public domain “mum’s the word”. As far as prognostications: no crystal ball, no “next week” pronouncements. Just waiting for things to be sorted out, very interesting sorting out going on.
OTOH one can always rummage in one’s memory bank for similar situations in the past and describe what happened back then and why. Funny thing: the general practice hasn’t changed much. Only the people and the companies changed.